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I just bought this floral chambray shirt on final clearance from Maurices for $7.40. When I bought it, I started thinking of all kinds of outfit combinations with the shirt, so I knew I wanted to use it for my One Piece Many Ways post. I actually wore it twice already and then put together a few other future looks using it. It seems as versatile as a regular chambray shirt but the sweet little flowers add another element.

Overall, I did well with my budget this month and found some great items at garage sales and Goodwill. It was an odd month in terms of returning things, though. I got a floral maxi dress (Old Navy, new with tags) from ThredUp with credit from items I sold there, but it didn't work for me, so I sold it at Plato's Closet yesterday. Strike 1. I also won $50 gift cards to eShakti and Shabby Apple, so I was excited to pick out some new dresses from each place. The eShakti dress arrived first and just wasn't flattering, so back it went. Strike 2. The Shabby Apple dress was last to arrive. It was super cute and fit well overall, but it was the kind of dress that I felt like if I gained 2 pounds I wasn't going to wear it. That one was final sale, and it is up for sale on Ebay right now. Strike 3.

Sigh. I still have the eShakti credit (not the full amount because I had to pay for return shipping) and am hoping to sell the Shabby Apple dress and use that money toward a new dres…

Recently, I signed up for Influenster, a fun community for sharing opinions on a variety of products and more. Not long after signing up, I was contacted that I was going to receive the Colgate Total Mouthwash VoxBox. I was pretty excited to receive my box and give this product a try!

In the past, I haven't been a big mouthwash user. Most mouthwashes burn and make my eyes water, so using them isn't a very pleasant experience.

I received the Colgate Total Mouthwas in Peppermint Blast to try. The mouthwash packaging explains some of its benefits including:12-hr protection against germsFreshens breathNo burn of alcohol
When I gave the mouthwash a try, I found that it actually didn't burn! I could swish for the recommended amount of time and the product was great to use. It left my mouth feeling fresh and clean. I usually don't prefer peppermint flavor, but I liked the taste of this mouthwash as well. I can definitely see purchasing this mouthwash again and would recommen…

I didn't get many outfit pictures this week, but decided to share this one because I am excited I finished sewing a new shirt this week. I used the Kirsten Kimono tee pattern again. It is such a nice, simple pattern and has only two pattern pieces to cut! Instead of doing the banded neckline, I finished the neckline, sleeves, and bottom hem by double folding them and stitching. I made the shirt and sleeves a little longer than the first time as well.

This fabric was purchased as a remnant. I got a yard for under $3, so for that price + 2 hours of sewing, I am pleased with the result. The fabric is a black and white print stretchy knit - the kind that doesn't wrinkle up, so I am looking forward to lots of wear from this top. It will pair well with a variety of different bottoms and cardigans.

My favorite part of my garden this time of year is all of my daylilies. We started planting them 4-5 years ago and I usually choose one or two new ones each year. Plus, they need to be divided every few years, so they continue to take up a growing portion of our summer landscaping. Here are some pictures of my daylilies!

Thanks for taking a walk around our yard with me!
What flowers are blooming in your garden right now?﻿

A family member is going through a rough patch right now, so I went looking on Pinterest for some encouraging Bible verse printables to share with her. I found a couple of neat resources that I wanted to pass along to you, as well!

Second are these really awesome "love notes" from God - 30 Bible verse cards that specifically address the love that God has for us. They also have a blank line on each card so that you can write a friend or family member's name on each card. They would make a wonderful gift for someone!

Do you have anything that you like to share with friends or family members that are going through hard times? I'd love to hear. Leave me a comment!

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a pleasant, relaxing weekend. We did some fun things this weekend, but also tried to rest and relax, too. Last week was pretty hectic - my daughter had Safety Town and both my parents have upcoming (unexpected) surgeries, so we needed a bit of catch up time.
We visited a local festival on Friday evening after dinner at Bob Evans' (using a good coupon). I really enjoyed the strawberry lemonade at dinner and it was a beautiful night to walk around outside. On Saturday, we visited a couple of garage sales and found a couple of things including an Exersaucer for our church nursery and the pretty juice glasses pictured above. I also got a large cork board for a $1 at a garage sale on Friday and I am trying to figure out where I'd like to hang it after I get it fixed up by covering it with fabric. :) We also did the requisite grocery shopping for the week and enjoyed dinner with my parents.

The book begins in St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1886. Emmalyne Knox's family has just experienced a tragic loss and as a result, her father forbids her to marry Tavin MacLachlan despite the fact that their wedding is to take place very soon. Emmalyne honors her father's order and leaves the area with her family without marrying Tavin. The remainder of the novel takes place eleven years later in 1897. Emmalyne has toiled for years to care for her family, but she has never forgotten or stopped loving Tavin. After leaving the St. Cloud area not long after the tragedy, the Knox family moves back to the area in the summer of 1897. Tavin also finds his way back to his childhood home and he and Emmalyne are unexpectedly reunited. Emmalyne continues to honor her father's command, but also beg…

A couple weeks ago, I was in the mood to make a simple project and I decided I wanted to make some jewelry. I hunted around and came across this tutorial on Pinterest for a simple statement necklace.

I purchased some similar supplies including:Set of large red stones ($2)Set of small bronze beads ($1)Package of jewelry findings that included jump rings, wire, and the necklace clasps ($3.20)
Total cost: $6.20 and the jewelry findings set has enough supplies to make at least 4-5 more necklaces, taking the cost down even more.

I've mentioned several times that I've been shopping at Goodwill using a $20 gift certificate that I received for participating in our local Goodwill stores' March Madness event. I thought it would be fun to show all the items I purchased, how much they cost at Goodwill, and compare it to the retail cost!

First of all, it took me around 2 months to spend the $20. I have become much more selective about what I buy whether it is new or thrifted, so lots of times, I leave the store with nothing. If you are new to shopping Goodwill or other thrift stores, don't get discouraged! It does take patience to find great items and it really helps if you can stop in often. I probably check the stock at one of our local Goodwill stores 3-4 times a month.

When I saw this idea at Karamat for a visual sewing to-do list, I knew I needed to give it a try. Here's my version. I put it on the inside of one of my sewing cabinet doors. Hoping it leads to some finishes by the end of July. I will check in at the end of the month and let you know!

What's on your sewing and crafting list right now? Any tips to get things done?

I only got a few of outfit photos this week and only 2 are very good - I waited until late last night to take yesterday's outfit photo. I feel like I am in a bit of a rut right now. We've had summer colds and are tired and - you know how it goes! It's also been kind of overcast and chilly and rainy here as well.

I do feel glad that it is so much easier for me to get dressed than it used to be because the pieces in my wardrobe work so much better. I'm looking forward to seeing others' outfits today and will be pinning some new summer outfit inspiration!

I am married with one daughter. I work part-time as a youth services librarian but am primarily a stay at home mom. I enjoy writing about all aspects of my life - books, sewing, fashion, baking, family activities, frugality, running, my faith, and more!